Celebrating while grieving feels like a betrayal. I lost my dad in October 2018, and I just didn’t want Christmas to come. How would we smile, give gifts, and eat ham when the family patriarch slept six feet under? (Un)fortunately, the sun set and rose again, and the holiday rolled in. Twinkling lights and cheerful …
Mercy Kambura
January is the month when the holiday sugar highs finally crash, the decorations come down, and the champagne-induced fog of New Year’s Eve is replaced by a dull, throbbing realization that maybe—just maybe—you could use a break. Dry January might seem like a test of willpower, but it’s also a life-affirming experience. Sure, the thought …
Have you ever opened a gift a gift with a polite smile while internally thinking, “What am I supposed to do with this?” From the perpetually regifted fruitcake to bafflingly specific gadgets, certain gifts are better left unwrapped—or better yet, unbought. A great gift reflects the recipient’s interests, needs, or personality. Unfortunately, not every gift …
Do you reply to texts immediately, or do they sit in your inbox until they go stale? I’m guilty of fully replying to text messages, only to realize days later that I only replied in my head, and now I’m officially a ghoster. When I do manage a late reply, I’ll use emojis a lot, …
Being the “bad guy” gets a bad rap, but some of us (especially parents with demanding kids) have made peace with it. It conjures images of villains in movies or the dreaded bearer of unwelcome truths. But in reality, playing this role isn’t about donning a black hat or twirling a mustache. You could sport …
Are you optimistic, or is your life motto, “The system is rigged?” I don’t know if we evolved from apes or not, but I do know that humans are evolving into self-absorbed beings, always bent over on their screens and avoiding their neighbors like a full-time job. This has made so many people cynical– we …
Being on the receiving end of generosity is one of those things that can really brighten your day. It may even inspire you to do something nice for someone else. But how do you really know if someone’s kindness is as genuine as it seems? Not every good deed is done purely out of the …
Love is as old as light, yet finding the perfect way to express it can feel like trying to capture lightning in a bottle. Sure, the classic “I love you” is iconic, but why not explore more colorful and meaningful ways to make someone feel like they’re the love interest in a Bridgerton episode? A …
What do you feel when you take a peek at your garage? Frustrated because you can’t find anything? Sorry that you’ve let it get to this level of disorganization? Or maybe you’re just confused because you know you want it to look better, and you can’t even fathom where to start. Garages are our homes’ …
Have you ever seen someone’s behavior or demeanor and wanted to tell them, “Your mama would be proud!” It’s a great compliment. I have many ambitions, but raising a human that people can look at and say, “You were raised well!” is top of the list. Charity begins at home, but so does every other …
